Dogs
By Anna Lee
There are several skin conditions that your dog could possibly come down with. The one I will cover in this article is Hot Spots. Another, Ringworm, will be featured in a future article. I have learned about both of these skin conditions “first paw,” so to speak. Both are easily treated with medications from your vet.
Last summer Abby developed “hot spots.” I didn’t know what to think when I first saw clumps of hair missing and red, raw patches of skin. I thought, or assumed, she had mange. Naturally I flew into a panic and called the vet. The soft, kind voice on the other end of the line told me to bring her in. The kind voice also said that from my description it didn’t sound like mange at all, which was a relief.
Being overly cautious for me usually means a vet visit. I am of the belief that if I notice something different about my dog’s physical condition, it is up to me to take action. It is my job as a responsible pet owner to keep her safe and healthy. Off to the vet we went. After an examination of the spots the vet took a skin sample and checked it under the microscope. No mange, thank goodness. She was diagnosed as having hot spots. Then I got an education from the vet regarding the causes and treatment.
The formal name for the condition is pyotraumatic dermatitis, or “hot spots.” Most of Abby’s hot spots were not in locations where she could scratch them easily. She did have one that she worked at with her nails quite vigorously. That one spot took longer to heal than the others. We were already living in our new house last August when we found the hair on the floor instead of on the dog. We had to put our trust in a new vet whom we did not know, although he was highly recommended by several sources. It turned out the recommendations were right on.
Our vet has a special mixture; the compound is his own special formula that he has made up for him in a lab. It has no name on the bottle, just directions to apply to the area twice a day. I would assume all vets have some secret potion and his is a good one. We had to put the liquid on her hot spots several times a day. Whatever is in that compound takes away the itchiness and allows the skin to heal. We also use this same liquid in her ears when she gets wax resulting from ear infections.
If you notice a clump of hair missing and the spot on your dog is round, with the skin possibly red from scratching (and sometimes it has an aroma) – then your pooch probably has hot spots.
Abby meets most of the following criteria which makes her susceptible to hot spots: she has a heavy coat, allergies, ear infections, anal gland problems, and she lives in a warm humid climate. Other causes which she doesn’t share are hair tangles, matted hair or behavior problems. Hot spots can be found on a dog’s legs and feet, flanks and rump.
Your vet may recommend over the counter “people allergy meds” to help with the allergy problems. Whatever the cause is for your particular dog, make sure to follow the vet’s recommendations and procedures to cure the problem. Don’t worry about the bald spots – once the hot spots heal the hair will grow back and fill in!
It has been almost a year since Abby’s hot spots appeared, and we have not had one since!
Read more articles by Anna Lee
- Skin Disorders In Dogs
Dog's skin and coat serve as indicator of the pets' health. Itching, skin rashes, or very dry skin and fur loss are the common indications of skin disorders in dogs. Some of these disorders have such a long run, that dog owners need to have...
- Dog Skin Sores
Canine skin complications are usually frustrating for every pet owner, as they grow gradually and often affect every part of the skin. Skin sores make the dog feel uncomfortable and as a pet owner, it is quite sad to see the pet dog in distress....
- Dog Skin Problems
With a pet dog, the most frequently reported problem is a skin or ear related health complication. Like humans, dogs are susceptible to various skin disorders, which may develop due to allergies, parasites, infection or as a referred symptom of other...
- Dermatitis In Dogs
Unhygienic surrounding is the most common reason for skin infections in dogs. Dermatitis can be caused by bacterial or fungal infection. It can also get triggered due to some dog allergies. Some dogs that suffer from dermatitis have been detected...
- Skin Diseases In Dogs
Dogs are man's best friend and suffer from many illnesses like man. Dogs can develop many dog allergies and infections that lead to skin diseases. Skin disorders in dogs are amongst the most common conditions that a vet treats. Dogs can be infected...
Dogs
Skin Disorders in Dogs: “Hot Spots”
By Anna Lee
There are several skin conditions that your dog could possibly come down with. The one I will cover in this article is Hot Spots. Another, Ringworm, will be featured in a future article. I have learned about both of these skin conditions “first paw,” so to speak. Both are easily treated with medications from your vet.
Last summer Abby developed “hot spots.” I didn’t know what to think when I first saw clumps of hair missing and red, raw patches of skin. I thought, or assumed, she had mange. Naturally I flew into a panic and called the vet. The soft, kind voice on the other end of the line told me to bring her in. The kind voice also said that from my description it didn’t sound like mange at all, which was a relief.
Being overly cautious for me usually means a vet visit. I am of the belief that if I notice something different about my dog’s physical condition, it is up to me to take action. It is my job as a responsible pet owner to keep her safe and healthy. Off to the vet we went. After an examination of the spots the vet took a skin sample and checked it under the microscope. No mange, thank goodness. She was diagnosed as having hot spots. Then I got an education from the vet regarding the causes and treatment.
The formal name for the condition is pyotraumatic dermatitis, or “hot spots.” Most of Abby’s hot spots were not in locations where she could scratch them easily. She did have one that she worked at with her nails quite vigorously. That one spot took longer to heal than the others. We were already living in our new house last August when we found the hair on the floor instead of on the dog. We had to put our trust in a new vet whom we did not know, although he was highly recommended by several sources. It turned out the recommendations were right on.
Our vet has a special mixture; the compound is his own special formula that he has made up for him in a lab. It has no name on the bottle, just directions to apply to the area twice a day. I would assume all vets have some secret potion and his is a good one. We had to put the liquid on her hot spots several times a day. Whatever is in that compound takes away the itchiness and allows the skin to heal. We also use this same liquid in her ears when she gets wax resulting from ear infections.
If you notice a clump of hair missing and the spot on your dog is round, with the skin possibly red from scratching (and sometimes it has an aroma) – then your pooch probably has hot spots.
Abby meets most of the following criteria which makes her susceptible to hot spots: she has a heavy coat, allergies, ear infections, anal gland problems, and she lives in a warm humid climate. Other causes which she doesn’t share are hair tangles, matted hair or behavior problems. Hot spots can be found on a dog’s legs and feet, flanks and rump.
Your vet may recommend over the counter “people allergy meds” to help with the allergy problems. Whatever the cause is for your particular dog, make sure to follow the vet’s recommendations and procedures to cure the problem. Don’t worry about the bald spots – once the hot spots heal the hair will grow back and fill in!
It has been almost a year since Abby’s hot spots appeared, and we have not had one since!
Read more articles by Anna Lee
- Skin Disorders In Dogs
Dog's skin and coat serve as indicator of the pets' health. Itching, skin rashes, or very dry skin and fur loss are the common indications of skin disorders in dogs. Some of these disorders have such a long run, that dog owners need to have...
- Dog Skin Sores
Canine skin complications are usually frustrating for every pet owner, as they grow gradually and often affect every part of the skin. Skin sores make the dog feel uncomfortable and as a pet owner, it is quite sad to see the pet dog in distress....
- Dog Skin Problems
With a pet dog, the most frequently reported problem is a skin or ear related health complication. Like humans, dogs are susceptible to various skin disorders, which may develop due to allergies, parasites, infection or as a referred symptom of other...
- Dermatitis In Dogs
Unhygienic surrounding is the most common reason for skin infections in dogs. Dermatitis can be caused by bacterial or fungal infection. It can also get triggered due to some dog allergies. Some dogs that suffer from dermatitis have been detected...
- Skin Diseases In Dogs
Dogs are man's best friend and suffer from many illnesses like man. Dogs can develop many dog allergies and infections that lead to skin diseases. Skin disorders in dogs are amongst the most common conditions that a vet treats. Dogs can be infected...